⌛ arriving June 25 for three months

Hello,
We usually stay in Banaue, Ifugao 3-4 months a year but are looking for a new destination/retirement destination. We appreciate this forum. Most questions have been addressed in detail.
I cycle 40 miles x 3 days a week and need to continue this routine in Dumaguete so I'll need to buy bicycle appropriate for coastal road conditions. We will be in Manila a few days but shipping a bike from there may present a shipping problem? I prefer a road bike if the street is not too pitted and traffic permits. If buying a bike in Manila isn't practical, what about Dumaguete or Cebu?

Keith

 

Keith, welcome to the DI forum. I suggest buying a bike at Power Bikes near Makati Powerplant Mall and shipping it down, not sure if you would find a satisfying selection here. There are guys here that bike long distance daily, seem to be more Europeans into it than Americans, not surprising. Have a safe trip, I'm sure you will enjoy our gentle city.

 

Hi Keith,

welcome to the forum, Wow 40 miles 3x a week i feel tired just thinking about that, shame i would join you ......but sorry i have no bike !!!:D

 

Thanks for the info. Can I just box it and ship via air? What airline services DI? Are the coastal roads passable with at least moderate traffic? Choosing the right bike is terribly important. Should I check out the roads/routes and go to Cebu to buy? I know for those who don't ride, these are subjective questions but critical for me. If you happen to know of a house/apartment available from June 25~Sept 20, please send an email or phone number. Otherwise, I will take the advise of one who posted and ride about looking for something after arriving.

As mentioned previously, we usually stay in Banaue, Ifugao. There is no expat community there. The Ifugao are quite different than lowlanders. Their typical attitude towards us varies but couldn't be described as friendly for the most part. Some years ago there was an English expat living there but was killed and then a Peace Corps worker murdered.....not an inviting record. We are looking for "Gentle People," and hope DI fits the description. I have also lived in Pasay City and Cavite. My wife is Filipina so I am familiar with the Tagalog speaking culture but have no experience with the Visayan.

 

Keithg,

It's been quite a few years but I did compete in Duathalon. I brought 2 bikes in to train on. I went to a bike shop and had the bikes partly disassembled and placed in bicycle boxes. I was able to check them in as baggage but as I remember it wasn't cheap. The good thing was both times I walked right through Customs and they never batted an eye.

I am sure the situation has changed but 20 years ago I couldn't find a decent bike here. Call the airline and see what there policy is on carrying bikes. Some didn't specify weight years ago so you could stuff some extra gear around it.

Plenty of flat riding along the coast and the mountains inland would make a nice challenge. Most of the local people are quite friendly so you shouldn't have any problems from that quarter but watch out for the buses I think they get extra credit for taking out pedestrians and cyclists.